Melody
gainsbourg serge - Histoire de Melody Nelson(philips) Lyrics

In the song "Melody" by Serge Gainsbourg, the lyrics depict a scene where the singer, accompanied by his Rolls-Royce car, finds himself in a dangerous and isolated area. As the Rolls-Royce glides close to power pylons, they arrive at a place where parking is forbidden by law. On the hood of the car, a figurine representing "The Silver Ghost of 1910" serves as a scout, with the silver veil on its radiator blowing in the wind.

Despite the noise from the radio, which drowns out the silence of the car's engine, the singer notices that Melody, the female character, seems haughty and aloof, gazing into the horizon with her mind elsewhere. She appears oblivious to the surroundings, such as the streets and sidewalks they pass by. The singer feels a sense of indifference from Melody, as she holds the reins of his powerful engine-powered twenty-six horses.

Melody is portrayed as a dark princess, a cursed archangel, a modern Amazon with a style that the sculptor nicknamed "Spirit of Ecstasy" in English. Her presence adds an air of mystery and allure to the story. The singer continues to drive slowly, but as he loses control, the car starts drifting and eventually crashes. The impact abruptly brings him out of his reverie, and he notices a bicycle wheel still spinning at the front of the car. Melody, whose skirt is lifted, revealing her white pants, appears like a doll losing balance.

After the crash, the singer asks Melody her name, to which she replies, "Melody." When he asks for her full name, she answers, "Melody Nelson." This introduction implies a connection between the singer and Melody, sparking curiosity and suggesting that their story will continue.

The final line of the lyrics mentions that Melody has natural red hair, highlighting a physical characteristic that adds to her allure and uniqueness.